Choose a Dog That Fits Your Lifestyle

If you’re thinking about getting a dog for your family, choosing the right breed is important. There are over 150 breeds of dogs, and each breed has its own unique set of physical characteristics and needs. Before you bring home a dog, consider the factors that may impact your household.

Puppy or Adult
Cute and cuddly puppies are hard to resist, but they require a lot of attention and training. A puppy can be raised and socialized the way you prefer, but you’ll need to devote a great deal of time and patience to the tasks. If your family has a busy lifestyle, note that puppies can’t be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. They need frequent feedings, trips outside and lots of human interaction, much like babies. Although not as adorable as puppies, adult dogs need less attention, and they’re calmer, more obedient and house-trained.

Size
Although puppies begin life as tiny, adorable creatures, they grow quickly to adult size. It’s important to find out how large your dog breed will grow in weight and height when full-grown. Consider your lifestyle, living space, yard space and budget which can all be impacted by your dog’s size. Although larger dog breeds will require more space for activities, more exercise and more food, small dogs still need space to exercise and run around to burn off energy. If you don’t have adequate time or facilities to exercise and socialize your dog, consider a doggie daycare facility like doggies-gonewild.com.

Food Needs

Start by researching which food is best for your specific breed. Large dogs have different needs than smaller breeds. For best large breed dog food consider Annamaet for their quality ingredients.

Grooming Needs
All dogs need regular baths and grooming to stay clean and healthy. Long-haired breeds like golden retrievers, collies, sheepdogs, spaniels and lhasa apsos need regular brushing to keep their hair from getting tangled or matted. Short-haired dogs like Boston terriers, boxers, dalmatians, foxhounds and weimaraner need little brushing to keep their coat healthy and shiny. Whether long-haired or short-haired, all dogs shed, but long-haired breeds will shed the most, so decide how much pet hair you can put up with and how much time you can invest in regular grooming.

Temperament
Since you’ll be living with your new dog for a long time, you’ll want to choose a breed with a temperament that meets your lifestyle. Do you want an active breed you can take on long hikes or a less active breed to cuddle on the bed? If you like to entertain, consider a friendly breed that’s not easily frightened by strangers. If you have small children in the house, make sure you choose a breed that’s good around children. If you like to travel, you’ll need to find a good pet boarding Miami facility that will take good care of your dog while you’re away.